Species learning profile
Kissing gourami
Helostoma temminckii
Kissing gourami (Helostoma temminckii) is a freshwater fish associated with wetland habitat in Southeast Asia. Its puckered mouth scrapes algae; mouth-to-mouth contact can be a contest.
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At a glance
- Eau
- Eau douce
- Habitat
- wetland
- Longueur maximale
- 30 cm
- Répartition
- Southeast Asia
- Famille
- Helostomatidae
- Ordre
- Anabantiformes
Observe
How to identify Kissing gourami
- Its puckered mouth scrapes algae; mouth-to-mouth contact can be a contest.
- Guide context: wetland habitat in Southeast Asia.
- Reported maximum length: 30 cm — roughly ruler-length. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with wetland habitat across Southeast Asia. Shallow vegetation, seasonal water, and sometimes low oxygen make wetlands productive but demanding homes.
Behavior
Grazes surfaces and gulps air
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Algae, plankton, and plant material.
Ecological role
A significant grazer and plankton feeder.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
Kissing gourami peut atteindre environ 30 cm et vit souvent près de wetland.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
Wetland drainage, water withdrawal, invasive species, and pollution can remove habitat faster than fish can relocate.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Kissing gourami in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections